Author: Max Wong / Source: Wise Bread
It turns out, almost 40 percent of wasted food in the U.S. is tossed by consumers, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. This waste comes at a huge cost to our environment and to the budget of the average American. Luckily, we can help stop this waste by salvaging perfectly edible, delicious, and occasionally gourmet food with some minor tweaks to our shopping habits.
But why stop at saving the planet when you can also save hundreds of dollars a year on dinner? Here are some of the best places to find salvage groceries.
1. Salvage grocery stores
Salvage grocery stores, also known as discount grocery stores or grocery outlets, stock merchandise that other food suppliers cannot sell. This includes packaged foods with dents and dings, food that is close to its expiration dates, overstocks, and seasonal items that are no longer in season.
Typically, salvage stores offer a 50 percent discount on name-brand items, but some stores offer even steeper discounts depending on the package appearance. My local salvage grocery store even accepts coupons that give me additional discounts. If you’re new to salvage grocery shopping, be sure to talk to the store staff about how to maximize savings.
While I have some neighbors who shop exclusively at our local salvage grocery store, the double-edged sword of these establishments is the constantly shifting inventory that can vary from day to day. The store staff can give you the lowdown on delivery schedules so you can grab the freshest produce or the rarest snacks.
Salvage grocery stores buy their merchandise from grocery reclamation centers — both places are regulated and inspected just like regular grocery stores, so the food you buy at a salvage store is just as safe to eat.
(See also: 10 Affordable Alternatives to the Grocery Store)2. The markdown rack
Many regular grocery stores have a discount rack of merchandise that can range from almost expired milk to mint condition product closeouts. While this rack is generally hidden at the back of the store, post-holiday, this discount rack can extend to several aisles of goods. I always purchase a metric ton of Easter candy the day after Easter. No one who eats my cookies or brownies has to know that the dark chocolate chunks are chopped up chocolate eggs or Easter Bunnies. The discount rack discount at the national chain stores is typically 30-50 percent off the regular price.
3. Imperfect produce
Imperfect Produce is a weekly farm box service that delivers to subscribers’ front doors. What do stores consider imperfect produce? Items such as curved cucumbers that don’t stack easily, gigantic or tiny avocados — really any fruit or vegetable that lacks uniformity qualifies as imperfect. Cost-wise, you will pay 30-50 percent less than what you would pay at a grocery store. Also, unlike most Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)…
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